Chapter 7: The Voice on the Recording
“Devon, you told me that recording had been deleted.””
Celeste's words hung in the air.
Nobody moved.
Renee looked at her.
“What recording?””
Celeste pressed her lips together.
Devon stepped forward immediately.
“She's confused. Don't listen to her.””
Celeste laughed nervously.
“No, Devon. I'm not doing this anymore.””
He grabbed her arm.
“Not another word.””
She pulled away so sharply that her handbag slipped from her shoulder.
“Stop telling me what to say!””
Several guests turned toward them.
Robert Harris placed his phone on the table.
“Mr. Carter, I suggest you allow Ms. Celeste to speak.””
Devon looked at him with open hostility.
“This is a private family matter.””
Robert remained calm.
“It stopped being private when a financial institution received an authorization bearing another person's identity.””
Renee gripped the edge of the table.
“Celeste, what recording are you talking about?””
Celeste looked at Renee.
Then at Devon.
Finally, she sat down.
“Three weeks ago, Devon asked me to help with some paperwork for the business.””
Renee's stomach tightened.
“What paperwork?””
“He said the lender needed confirmation that you supported the additional financing. He told me you were too busy with work and your pregnancy to handle the calls.””
Renee stared at her.
“So you called the bank pretending to be me?””
Celeste shook her head.
“Not exactly.””
“What does that mean?””
“He gave me a script. He said I only needed to read a few sentences into the phone. He told me the bank already had your information and that the recording was just a routine confirmation.””
Devon slammed his palm against the table.
“That's enough!””
Celeste flinched.
Then she looked at him with tears in her eyes.
“You told me it was legal!””
Renee felt her knees weaken.
“You used my voice?””
Celeste shook her head.
“I didn't try to sound like you. I just read the answers he gave me.””
Robert immediately took out a notepad.
“Did you identify yourself as Renee Carter?””
Celeste nodded.
“Yes.””
“Did you claim to be the account holder?””
“Yes.””
“Did you authorize the loan guarantee?””
Celeste looked down.
“I repeated the words Devon gave me.””
Renee closed her eyes.
She could barely process what she was hearing.
For months, she had been working extra shifts to help support the family.
She had gone to prenatal appointments alone because Devon was supposedly busy at the shop.
She had believed every explanation.
And while she was buying groceries and folding tiny baby clothes, her husband and another woman had been arranging financial documents in her name.
Robert looked toward Devon.
“Do you have anything to say?””
Devon rubbed his face.
“This was supposed to be temporary.””
Renee slowly opened her eyes.
“What was temporary?””
“The loan. The apartment. The paperwork. Everything.””
She stared at him.
“You keep saying that word as though it makes everything acceptable.””
Devon lowered his voice.
“I was under pressure. The shop needed money. The suppliers wanted payment. The opening costs were higher than expected.””
“So you used my savings?””
“I was going to replace it.””
“You used my identity?””
“I didn't think it would become a problem.””
Renee looked at Robert.
“Can the bank recover the money?””
“That depends on the investigation and the transaction history. The priority is to preserve the records and formally dispute the authorization.””
Robert turned toward Celeste.
“Do you still have the script?””
Celeste nodded slowly.
“I might.””
Devon immediately stepped toward her.
“Delete it.””
Celeste stared at him.
“Are you serious?””
“I'm telling you to delete it.””
Robert stood between them.
“Do not delete anything. Preserve all messages, files, and recordings. Any alteration could complicate the investigation.””
Celeste reached into her handbag and pulled out her phone.
She hesitated.
Then she opened a messaging application.
“I have the conversation.””
Devon went pale.
“Celeste, don't.””
She turned the screen toward Robert.
There were several messages from Devon.
One read:
*Just read the statement exactly as written. They won't ask anything complicated.*
Another said:
*Make sure you don't mention the pregnancy. It will create unnecessary questions.*
Renee felt a cold wave pass through her.
There was another message.
*After the transfer, everything will finally be under our control.*
Renee looked up.
“Under whose control?””
Celeste scrolled.
A photograph appeared.
It showed the same property transfer agreement Robert had brought to the shop.
Beneath it was a message from Devon.
*Once Renee signs out, we can move forward without having to explain anything to her.*
Renee slowly turned toward her husband.
“You weren't planning to tell me?””
Devon looked away.
Celeste continued scrolling.
Then she stopped.
“This is the message I was talking about.””
She placed the phone on the table.
It showed a conversation from the night before the grand opening.
Devon had written:
*Tomorrow, everyone will know you're my wife. Renee won't cause trouble once she understands that the business is no longer hers.*
Renee stared at the screen.
The words seemed to blur.
Celeste looked at Devon.
“You promised me that.””
Devon shook his head.
“I was trying to keep you happy.””
“By lying to me?””
“I was going to explain everything after the opening.””
Renee laughed quietly.
“You planned to announce another wife before telling your actual wife?””
Devon didn't answer.
Margaret stepped forward.
“Devon, what have you done?””
He looked at his mother.
“Mom, please.””
“No. Don't call me that as though I can rescue you from this.””
She pointed at Renee.
“That woman trusted you with her savings, her home, and her future. She's carrying your child. And you treated her like an obstacle.””
Devon looked toward the guests.
“Can everyone please leave?””
Nobody moved immediately.
Then Robert spoke.
“Mrs. Carter, I believe we have enough information to proceed with a formal dispute. I will also provide the contact details of an independent attorney so you can receive advice separate from the original business arrangements.””
Renee nodded.
She looked at Celeste.
“Why did you agree to do it?””
Celeste wiped her cheeks.
“I thought he was telling the truth. He said you were separating. He said you knew about the business changes.””
Renee's voice became quieter.
“You saw me today.””
Celeste looked at her.
“You saw my belly. You saw me standing outside with the cupcakes. You heard me say I was his wife.””
Celeste lowered her eyes.
“And you still stood beside him.””
Celeste began crying.
“I know.””
Renee shook her head.
“I don't need your apology right now.””
She turned toward Robert.
“Please send me everything.””
Then she reached for her handbag.
Margaret helped her put on her coat.
As Renee moved toward the entrance, Devon called after her.
“Renee!””
She stopped but didn't turn around.
“I love you,” he said.
Renee closed her eyes.
For eight years, those words had been enough to make her forgive almost anything.
Today, they sounded empty.
She finally turned.
“Then why did you make me prove I was your wife at my own husband's business?””
Devon had no answer.
Renee walked out.
Margaret followed.
Behind them, Celeste remained beside the reception table, staring at the messages on her phone.
Robert was gathering the documents when Devon approached him.
“Can we talk privately?””
Robert looked up.
“About what?””
Devon lowered his voice.
“There's something else you need to know about the property.””
Robert stopped packing.
“What?””
Devon glanced toward the door Renee had just walked through.
May you like
Then he whispered:
“The shop wasn't the only thing I transferred money out of.””
